PARIS, May 26 (IANS): Defending champion Maria Sharapova made it easy through to the second round of women�s singles at Roland Garros but was booed after refusing to do a post-match interview inside Court Philippe Chatrier here.
The world No.2 tennis player on Monday beat Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-2, 6-4 in just an hour and 25 minutes. Boos from the crowd, however, jammed the stadium after the emcee announced that Sharapova �preferred not to get interviewed since her voice is broken� while the second seed was packing to leave. Famous for her grunt, Sharapova, a five-time Major winner who came here with a big clay win in Rome two weeks ago, kept a lower tone in Monday�s routine win.
�I got sick a week before the tournament, not right before. So I guess it�s a little bit better timing. But it�s just the way it is. I�m getting over it and hopefully it will pass by soon. Unless I�m really in my coffin, I�m going to be out there,� Sharapova said with laughter.
�Overall, I am just happy I got through and have a day off and I should be better by then.�
She didn�t think it was harsh to be booed at the end, saying she �totally understands that�.
�Everyone usually does post-game interviews and answers a few questions to the crowd. It�s absolutely normal. I don�t � I�m not making any excuses or � but I�ve got to do what I have to do,� she said.
